The English Bill of Rights- 1689

The English Bill of Rights is an English precursor of the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights, along with the Magna Carta. The English Bill of Rights limited the power of the English sovereign, and was written as an act of Parliament. As part of what is called the “Glorious Revolution,” the King and Queen William and Mary of Orange accepted the English Bill of Rights as a condition of their rule. The Bill of Rights asserted that Englishmen had certain inalienable civil and political rights, although religious liberty was limited for non-Protestants: Catholics were banned from the throne, and Kings and Queens had to swear oaths to maintain Protestantism as the official religion of England. Unless Parliament consented, monarchs could not establish their own courts or act as judges themselves; prevent Protestants from bearing arms, create a standing army; impose fines or punishments without trial; or impose cruel and unusual punishments or excessive bail. Free speech in Parliament was also protected. These protections are roots of those in the United States Bill of Rights and the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments.

Discussion Questions:1. What is the significance of the English Bill of Rights?

2. What influence did the English Bill of Rights have on our government?